Online council information for drivers with disabilities ‘poor’, Socitm finds

Council parking services do a ‘poor job’ when it comes to the provision of online information for drivers with disabilities, ICT body warns.

The latest report from Socitm’s Better Connected programme found fewer than half of the 210 district council websites tested made it easy to find information on how and where to apply for a disabled person's parking badge.

While district councils do not issue blue badges, the report says it is ‘odd’ these authorities refer to the need to have a badge without providing more information on how residents can acquire one.

Districts do manage applications for blue badge holders for on street ‘disabled’ parking bays to be designated outside their property.

However, Socitm said there was a ‘striking difference’ between councils that provide almost no information and those that provide a clear set of criteria, detail the application process, and provide an online form so that people may self-serve.

According to the ICT body’s findings, just 23% of sites provide an online application form and only 15% a form that is both responsive and interactive, and therefore fully accessible to people with disabilities.

The report concluded that the overall results were ‘disappointing’ with only 31% of sites providing a good or very good service.

This position will focus primarily upon working with children between the ages of 0-10 who have been looked after by the local authority for a significant period (20 weeks or longer), and where following careful assessment by the allocated social worker,
England, Essex, Chelmsford

NVQ Level 3 - Caring for Children and Young People or equivalent qualification or work-based experience.
* Experience/Knowledge/Interest in the Solution Focused approach.
England, Essex, Chelmsford

Recuriter: Essex County Council

Public Property

This issue of Public Property examines how how flexible workspaces can lead the way in regeneration for local authorities, Why local authority intervention is key to successful urban regeneration schemes and if the Government’s challenge of embracing beauty is an opportunity for communities.

The March issue also takes a closer look at Blackburn with Darwen Council's first digital health hub to help people gain control over health and care services.